watson



March 3, 1964 J. P. WATSON 3,123,009

PUMP

Filed Aug. 28, 1961 4/0/70 F? WazJon INVENTOR.

United States Patent PUB 1P liohn P. Watson, PAS. Box 711, Luhng, Tex. Filed Aug. 28, 1963, Ser. No. 134,395 4 Claims. (@l. 19375) The present invention relates to pumps and more particularly, relates to inertia type pumps.

In the past there has been a considerable problem n providing efficient and satisfactory pumps particularly in pumping liquid from wells, for example, water wells and deep oil wells in view of the limitations of present pumping equipment. The present invention is directed to improvements in such pumping systems. i

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved pump for pumping liquids, and particularly those from wells, which utilizes a liquid circulation system for pumping liquids.

Still a further object of the present invention is the provision of such a pump for pumping liquids from wells which has a minimum of moving parts down hole.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a pump having a liquid circulating system and including an input line and two return lines wherein a double acting valve is disposed to alternately direct fluids from the input line to the two return lines so that circulating liquid is blocked momentarily and intermittently in each of the return lines thereby providing a negative pressure head momentarily and intermittently in each of the return lines so that liquid may be drawn into the circulation system and pumped to the surface.

Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of an improved inertia pump for pumping liquids which provides a constant flow and utilizes a minimum of moving parts in a circulation system but yet efliciently and effectively pumps the liquid at a relatively low cost.

Yet a still further object of the present invention is the provision of a pump in which liquid is circulated downhole to a double acting valve and alternately between two return lines whereby a ramming eflect of liquid is created in each of the return lines by the closure of the return line from the inlet line by the double acting blocking valve so as to create a suction to pump fluid through a check valve in the return line and to reverse the double acting valve on an increase in pressure in the return line.

Yet a further object of the present invention is a provision of an improved pump which includes means of inuring a prime on the pump at all times.

A still further object of the present invention is the provision of such a pump which includes a liquid circulation system by which suitable liquid pressure is developed and may be used to pump liquids in deep wells efliciently and inexpensively where it would be impractical or too expensive to use other present pumping equipment.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, given for the purpose of disclosure and taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, where like character references designate like parts throughout the several views, and where The drawing is a side elevation, partly in section and partly diagrammatic, illustrating a pump according to the invention and shown in place for pumping fluid from a well.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral generally designates the pump of the present invention and generally comprises a circulation system which includes an input line 12 through which a continuous circulating fluid is pumped to a double acting blocking valve 14 by which the circulating fluid can be directed to either return line 16 or return line 18. Check valves 2% and 22 are connected to the return lines 16 and 18, respectively, so as to draw well fluid from the well bore 27 into the return lines on the creation of a suction in the return lines. When the inertia of the moving liquid in one of the return pipes is spent the liquid pressure will build up in that return pipe closing its check valve and reversing the double acting valve 14 to cause the liquid to flow from the input line 12 to the other return line.

A priming pipe 24 is provided in fluid communication with the circulating system and with a liquid circulating pump 26 for providing a constant flow of liquid from the pump 26 down in a Well bore 27 through the input line 12. The double acting blocking valve 14 is provided in the well bore at the junction of and in fluid communication with the input line -12 and the two return lines 16 and is. The valve 1.4 is suitably enclosed in the housing 28 wherein suitable openings 3% to the valve 14 are provided in fluid communication with the input line 12. The openings 39 may include at least three openings (only two being shown for convenience) around the valve 14 at equal radial intervals to prevent unequal side thrust on the ball 36. Any suitable double acting blocking valve may be used such as the axially aligned valve seats 32 and 34 having a ball closure element 36 which is adapted to move between and seat on either of the valve seats 32 and Suitable springs 33 and 40 are provided on either side of the ball 35 and yieldably urge the ball into a seating arrangement against the opposing valve seat. However, the compression springs 38 and ill are approximately balanced so that normally with no flow through the valve the ball will be positioned about half way between the valve seats 32 and 34. However, as the fluid flow from the input line 12 enters into the entrances 30 of the valve 14- the liquid circulation will set the ball into a swinging motion. Because of the uneven liquid pressures on either side of ball 36 brought about by liquid turbulence of the circulating liquid under pressure the ball 36 will be pressed against one of the valve seats thus closing one of the valve seats and allowing the liquid to flow through the other valve seat.

The valve springs 38 and 4% are suitably supported in the valve 14 by spring stops 42 and 44. The supports 42 s and 44 may be threadably securedto the valve 14 in order to suitably adjust the compression on the springs. Spring supports 45 and 43 may be provided such as hollow and perforated tubes which are connected to the threadably spring stops 42 and 44, respectively and thus will not interfere with the flow of fluid through the valve seats 32 and 34. Of course, the spring supports 46 and 48 may be omitted and the springs may be otherwise suitably supported. A liquid passageway 50 lead-s from one side of the double acting valve 14 so as to provide a fluid passage through the valve seat 32 and to the return line 18. Similarly, a fluid passageway 52 connects the return line 16 to the opposite side of the double acting valve 14 and is in fluid communication with valve seat 34.

Valve 2% is a check valve in fluid communication with the return line 16 and is normally held in a closed posi tion by spring 5 4. The valve 2% is also in fluid communication with the fluid in the well bore 27, and if desired a suitable liner 57 may be provided in the well bore 27 and adjacent the check valve 2t). The purpose of the liner is to act as a strainer preventing the entrance of objects that interfere with the check valve operation. The check valve 24} is responsive to the fluid pressure in the return line 16. Thus, when the double acting valve 14 is actuated so that the ball 36 is seated upon the valve seat 34 the flow of fluid through the return line 16 is stopped. This creates a ram efiect due to the inertia of the moving fluid n the return line 16 and creates a drop in pressure or suction effect which causes the opening of the check valve 2t) and draws in fluid from the well through the liner 57 and into the return line 16. When the inertia or ram force in return pipe 16 is spent, the liquid pressure within the lower part of the return line 16 will rise closing the check valve 2% and also creating a force against the lower side of and assists in shifting the ball 36 from valve seat 3 to the valve seat 32.

Similarly, check valve 22 which is in fluid communication between the return line it: and the fluid in well bore 27 has a spring 56 which resiliently acts to close valve 22. A suitable liner 58 may be provided in the fluid formation to be pumped. Thus, when the valve 22 is actuated by a suction fluid pressure in return line '15, well fluid may flow from well bore 27 through the liner the valve 22, and up the return line 18.

At the surface a conventional liquid pressure regulator valve 69 is provided and a discharge line 62 is connected thereto to discharge the pumped well fluid to suitable liquid tank 64, if desired.

In operation, the pump 26 is primed by pouring liquid through the primer pipe 24 until all of the pipes in circulating system are full. The circulating purnp 26 is started and at once a continuous liquid circulation begins and flows firom the pump 26 down into the well bore 27 through the input line 12. From the input line 12 the fluid flows into the double acting blocking valve 14 through the valve entrances 3t and into the return lines 16 and 18. As previously noted, the springs 38 and 4d yieldably urge the ball 36 to a position approximately equal distance from the valve seats 32 and 34. However, the flowing liquid circulation turbulence flow acts against the curved exterior of the valve ball 36. It is probable in first starting the pump that since gravity tends to assist the closure of the ball 36 on the lower seat 34, the liquid flowing in the entrances will act against the curved surface of the ball 36 to further move it downwardly to seat against the valve seat 34. The ball will then be held against valve seat 34 by the inflow liquid through valve 14 acting against the upper surface of ball 36. Thus, all of the circulating liquid through the input line 12 is forced through valve seat 32, into the passageway Sit and to the return line 18. At the same time the return line 16 has been suddenly denied circulation fluid by the closure of valve 36 seating on the Valve seat 34. However, the circulating liquid within the return pipe 16 will continue to flow momentarily by force of inertia thereby creating a negative liquid pressure in the lower portion of return line '16 and adjacent the check valve 20. This negative liquid pressure or suction will cause the valve spring 54 to yield and the check valve 20 will admit liquid from the well formation through the liner 57 so long as the negative liquid pressure lasts. When the inertia of the moving liquid in pipe 16 has spent its force and the suction pressure ceases, the check valve 20 will then quickly close and trap the liquid which has entered from the well formation. After the inertia force or ram efiect of the liquid in return line 16 ceases, the liquid pressure within the return line 16 will n'se and consequently the liquid pressure under the ball 36 will increase, and aid the compression spring 40 to thrust the ball 36 past the midpoint between the valve seats 32 and 34. Due to the inertia of the moving ball 36 and the force of the incoming liquid into the blocking valve 14 and acting more against the lower surface of the ball 36 than the upper surface of the ball 36, after it has passed the midpoint between the valve seats 32 and 34, the circulating liquid will force the ball upward and seat it on the valve seat 32.

At this time fluid flow from the input line 12 through the valve seat 32 is blocked, and the fluid from the input line 12 now flows into the blocking valve 14 and through valve seat 34 into the passageway 52 and up the return line 16. At this point the circulation liquid flow to the return line "18 is suddenly stopped, but the fluid continues to Ag. move by inertia up that pipe causing a negative liquid pressure to develop in the lower part of return line 18 thereby opening valve 22 and drawing in liquid from the well formation. When the inertia or ram eflect of the moving liquid in the return line 13 is spent, the valve 22 will close and trap the liquid which has entered into line 18 from the well formation. Then the liquid pressure in the lower portion of the return line 18 will rise and act against the top side of the blocking valve and aid spring 33 to cause the ball 36 to move item the seat 32 and be seated on valve seat 34 to complete the cycle. Again this is accomplished by initially moving the ball 35 past the midpoint between valve seats 32 and 34- and allowing the incoming fluid in the valve 14- to hold the ball 36 seated against seat 34. Thus, a continuous return cycle operat ng automatically by the force of the circulating liquid is provided to actuate the double acting blocking valve 14 and the check valves 2% and '22. Thus the liquid entering from the well formation combines with the circulating fluid and is passed to the surface where the pressure regulator 6% is adjusted to provide the proper amount of circulation flow pressure and thus an amount of liquid equal to the amount entering from the well formation is passed through the discharge line 62 into the storage tank 6 or any other desirable location.

Thus, a continuously flowing inehtia pump is provided which is efiicient, consists of few moving parts, and which is automatically actuated by the liquid flow and pressures occurring and caused by the operation and coaction between the double acting valve 14 and the check valves 20 and 22. 7

While the present invention has been described in connection with pumping a fluid from a well bore, it is obvious that the invention may be utilized for pumping liquids from any source to any destination and may be used to pump any desired fluid.

The present invention, therefore, is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While a presently preferred embodiment of this invention is given for the purpose of disclosure, numerous changes in details of construction, and arrangement of parts will be made which will readily adjust themselves to those skilled in the art and which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluid pump for pumping fluid out of a Well bore to the surface comprising, a circulation system including an input and two return lines positioned in said well, said input and return lines having first and second ends, the first ends of said input and return lines joined together in said well bore, means for circulating liquid in the circulation system connected between the second ends of said lines and positioned adjacent the surface, a double acting valve positioned in the juncture of the first ends of the said lines, said double acting valve including a valve seat between each of said return lines and said input line, a ball axially aligned between said valve seats for alternate seating on each of said valve seats, and means on opposite ends of said ball yieldably acting against it in a direction to seat said ball on said valve seats, a check valve positioned in each of said return lines, said check valves positioned adjacent the fluid to be pumped and permitting inflow of said fluid into said return lines through the check valves but preventing outflow therefrom, and a liquid discharge line in fluid communication with said circula tion system.

2. A fluid pump comprising, a circulation system including an input line and two return lines, each of said lines having first and second ends, the first ends of said input and return lines joined together, a double acting ball a ball positioned between said valve seats, and spring means on opposite sides and axially aligned with each valve seat yieldably urging said ball toward one of said seats, said ball valve being alternately actuated by the force of the fluid circulation and assisted by alternate pressure variations in the return lines thereby directing fluid from the input line alternately to the said two return lines, a check valve in each of said return lines, said check valves permitting inflow into said return lines when said ball valve closes the return lines thereby creating a suction in said return lines but said check valve preventing outflow of fluid from said return lines through said check valve, means for circulating fluid in the circulation system, and a liquid discharge line connected to said circulation system.

3. A fluid pump comprising,

a closed circulation system including an input line and two return lines,

a pump connected in said closed circulation system directing fluid into the input line and receiving fluid from the two return lines,

a pressure regulator connected to said input line,

a liquid discharge line connected to the pressure regulator for discharging water pumped from the system,

one end of said input and return lines being joined together and adapted to be submerged in the fluid to be pumped,

a double acting automatically actuated blocking valve actuated by the circulating fluid and located at the juncture of the input and return lines and in fluid communication with all of said lines, said double acting automatically actuated valve positioned to alternately close and open each of the return lines from the input line thereby directing fluid from the input line alternately to one and then the other return lines,

a check valve in each of said return lines adjacent said blocking valve, said check valves positioned to permit inflow into said return lines through the check valves, but preventing outflow from the return lines through the check valves.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein the double acting blocking valve includes a ball movable between two valve seats, said valve seats being axially aligned and each valve seat being positioned between one of said return lines and the input line, and a spring on opposite sides and axially aligned with each valve seat yieldably urging said ball towards one of said seats.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 531,735 Mortensen Jan. 1, 1895 FOREIGN PATENTS 449,037 France Dec. 13, 1912 

1. A FLUID PUMP FOR PUMPING FLUID OUT OF A WELL BORE TO THE SURFACE COMPRISING, A CIRCULATION SYSTEM INCLUDING AN INPUT AND TWO RETURN LINES POSITIONED IN SAID WELL, SAID INPUT AND RETURN LINES HAVING FIRST AND SECOND ENDS, THE FIRST ENDS OF SAID INPUT AND RETURN LINES JOINED TOGETHER IN SAID WELL BORE, MEANS FOR CIRCULATING LIQUID IN THE CIRCULATION SYSTEM CONNECTED BETWEEN THE SECOND ENDS OF SAID LINES AND POSITIONED ADJACENT THE SURFACE, A DOUBLE ACTING VALVE POSITIONED IN THE JUNCTURE OF THE FIRST ENDS OF THE SAID LINES, SAID DOUBLE ACTING VALVE INCLUDING A VALVE SEAT BETWEEN EACH OF SAID RETURN LINES AND SAID INPUT LINE, A BALL AXIALLY ALIGNED BETWEEN SAID VALVE SEATS FOR ALTERNATE SEATING ON EACH OF SAID VALVE SEATS, AND MEANS ON OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID BALL YIELDABLY ACTING AGAINST IT IN A DIRECTION TO SEAT SAID BALL ON SAID VALVE SEATS, A CHECK VALVE POSITIONED IN EACH OF SAID RETURN LINES, SAID CHECK VALVES POSITIONED ADJACENT THE FLUID TO BE PUMPED AND PERMITTING INFLOW OF SAID FLUID INTO SAID RETURN LINES THROUGH THE CHECK VALVES BUT PREVENTING OUTFLOW THEREFROM, AND A LIQUID DISCHARGE LINE IN FLUID COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CIRCULATION SYSTEM. 